Jeffrey "Jeff" G Jackson

Jeffrey Gordon Jackson, 64, of Newton, died Wednesday, December 3, 2025. There will be a private family burial at the Wittemberg Cemetery in rural Newton. On December 10, 2025, the family will greet friends from 3-6 p.m. at the American Legion Post 111, 1101 West 4th St. S., Newton.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor his memory by giving back to the community he cherished. Donations may be made to the Jasper County Courthouse Lighting fund, which he looked forward to each year, or to the Newton American Legion Post 111—where he first saw Donna at his class reunion and where they later celebrated their wedding reception. Memorials can be left at the American Legion during the visitation or the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

Jeff was born on February 15, 1961, at Skiff Hospital in Newton. He was an only child and was the best of sons to his parents, carrying on Gordon “Freddy’s” legacy as a farmer and always offering unwavering support to his mother, JoAnn. His hobbies as a youth were riding dirt bikes and, his forever passion, restoring vintage cars and tractors. After high school, he attended DMACC for two years, completing his diesel training and graduating in 1981. He worked for several tractor dealerships until 1989, when he opened his own tractor repair shop. He ran the shop, servicing tractors from all over, until 1997, when he transitioned to a full-time grain farmer. 

On April 14, 1990, Jeff was united in marriage to Donna May Mackerman in Newton. Their families had long been acquainted—Donna’s grandmother even attended Jeff’s baby shower. Though Jeff and Donna went to school together, they traveled in different circles. It wasn’t until his ten-year class reunion that life brought them back together. She attended his reunion with a friend, and Jeff and Donna were reintroduced. A week later, Jeff gathered the courage to ask her out. On their first date, June 24, 1989, he showed up almost an hour late, freshly showered, just coming from an auction, and his truck reeking of beer and hog manure. The date fell on Donna’s parents’ wedding anniversary, and her mom took it as a good omen for what was ahead. Jeff proposed a few months later, on November 11, in the parking lot of a Subway. After they married, Jeff became a second dad to Miranda, who was just three at the time. Their family became complete with the birth of their son, Curtis, in 1992.

He was a simple man, just as the words of his favorite band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, described. He loved classic rock music, classic cars, homemade food (primarily meat and potatoes), and the company of the people he cared about. His children grew up with the sound of rock and roll spinning from the turntable, and for many years the family made it a tradition to attend a concert together each year—such as Journey, Def Leppard, Boston, Styx, Foreigner, and of course Lynyrd Skynyrd, whom he saw seven times.

He was a true gearhead at heart. He spent a good portion of every day talking cars and tractors with his son—or anyone else who would listen—watching shows and reading books about them and scouring the internet for parts or potential new projects. He owned many classic cars over the years, some that fired right up and others that may have looked like a pile of junk to most people but were pure treasures in his eyes. Along with cars, he loved restoring John Deere tractors. He was a John Deere and Chevy purist; nothing else runs better.

He loved watching old Western movies, whether it was a John Wayne classic or a gritty Clint Eastwood film. His wife and kids remember watching those movies over and over for family nights, with a big bowl of popcorn and M&Ms, with a fire going in the wood stove. 

From planting to harvest, he devoted his life to the land he loved. One of the proudest milestones he and Donna shared was combining the Jackson and Mackerman farms—bringing together two family legacies. The Mackerman farm became a Century Farm in 2001. Jeff’s legacy lives on in every field he planted and in the hearts of his wife, children, and grandchildren. He leaves this world knowing the land he cherished will remain in the family for generations to come.

Behind his tough exterior, weathered hands, and firm voice was a man with a big heart who protected his own. He was a wonderful grandpa to his four grandkids, each of whom will forever cherish the memories of riding with Poppa Jeff, whether in a combine, the Gator, or his much-loved golf cart.

His soft heart also extended to his love for his animals. The Jackson farm saw countless cats, dogs, ducks, guineas, geese, turkeys, goats, donkeys, rabbits, parakeets, fish, a potbelly pig, a horse, and even a guinea pig over the years. Most of these animals just showed up on the farm and became part of the family. The best things in life are rescued.  

He loved his hometown of Newton—he was born there, went to school there, and never left, living in his grandparents’ house with his family. He could tell you what every building in Newton used to be, who owned it, and the family story behind each one. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Donna Jackson; his children: Miranda (Jordan) Vos of Sully and Curtis (Samantha) Jackson of Newton; his mother, JoAnn Jackson; his grandchildren: Nora and Lena Vos, and Guinevere “Gwen” and Bromwell “Brom” Jackson; and his four-legged family members: four dogs (Tommy, Pixie, Charlie, and Millie), three cats, two donkeys…and three fish. 

Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Gordon Jackson, his aunt Ruth Sharp, and his grandparents.

He was known for many things, but nothing more than his big, booming laugh—the kind that could fill a room. That sound will echo in our memories forever. He’s taken his final drive home, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and miles well-spent.

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